Daud Olatunji
In a landmark ruling on Monday, a federal high court in Kubwa, Abuja, handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Dr. Abubakar Mustapha Danraka, a former Chief Pharmacist of the National Hospital, Abuja, and Senior Special Adviser (Technical) to the Director of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
The conviction, made under Section 1 of the VAPP Act of 2015, stems from charges dating back to August 9, 2021.
Dr. Danraka, who had pleaded “not guilty” during his arraignment on April 5, 2022, was found guilty of defiling a minor living in the same Abuja estate as him.
The heinous act occurred on March 27, 2020, when he lured the victim to his apartment and administered a stupefying drink before committing the crime.
This highly publicized case, which has captured the attention of stakeholders across the country for three years, finally saw justice served with the September 18, 2023 judgment.
The prosecution team from NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) effectively proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Press Officer of NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent, the suspect was charged to Court via a Charge dated 9th August 2021, and was arraigned on 5th April. 2022 where he pleaded “not guilty”
Vincent further said that he was arrested on March 27th, 2020, for defiling a minor (name withheld) his neighbour, who lived in the same estate with him in Abuja.
The press Officer if NAPTIP said the convict lured the victim to his apartment and had anal intercourse with him after stupefying him with a drink.
Reacting to the judgment, the Director General of NAPTIP, Professor Fatima Waziri – Azi, Ph.D hailed the judiciary for its doggedness in ensuring that justice was served under the VAPP Act.
She said, “I want to specially commend the Judiciary for its sustained collaboration, and support in the implementation of the VAPP/Law in the Country which has culminated in this landmark judgment. This is a victory for us as a country.
She added that, “In our bid to make Nigeria a violence–free nation, in collaboration with all our esteemed partners and stakeholders, we will continue to scale our efforts in ensuring more convictions and less impunity”.
Vincent therefore said that this is the third rape conviction and counting, secured by NAPTIP in the FCT for the year 2023.
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